Donald Trump says he believes the US will ‘get Greenland’ | Global News Avenue

President Donald Trump has said he is confident the United States will gain control of Greenland after showing renewed interest in acquiring the self-governing Danish territory in recent weeks.

“I think we’re going to be successful,” he told reporters aboard Air Force One on Saturday, adding that the island’s 57,000 residents “want to be with us.”

It follows reports that Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen insisted in a heated phone call with the president last week that Greenland would not be sold.

During his first term in 2019, Trump raised the prospect of purchasing the vast Arctic territory and said U.S. control of Greenland was “absolutely necessary” for international security.

“I think people want to be with us,” Trump said when asked about the island in the press room on the presidential plane.

“I don’t really know what Denmark’s claim is on this, but it would be a very unkind act if they didn’t allow this to happen because it’s about protecting the free world,” he added.

“I think we’re going to get Greenland because it’s about freedom in the world,” Trump continued.

“This has nothing to do with America, it’s just that we can provide freedom. They can’t.”

Despite Trump’s apparent confidence, the prime ministers of Greenland and Denmark have previously said the island will not be sold.

Greenland’s Prime Minister Mutt Egede said the use of the territory’s land was “a Greenland matter”, although he did say he would Closer cooperation with the United States in defense and mining.

Meanwhile, Danish Prime Minister Frederiksen said earlier this month that “Greenland belongs to Greenlanders” and only local residents can determine its future.

Frederiksen reiterated his stance during a heated 45-minute phone exchange with Trump last week. According to the Financial Times.

The newspaper cited an anonymous European official who called the conversation “terrifying,” while another said Trump’s interest in acquiring Greenland was “serious and potentially very dangerous.”

Denmark’s prime minister reportedly insisted the island would not be sold, but noted that the United States had “significant interest” in it.

Greenland is located on the shortest route from North America to Europe and is of strategic importance to the United States. It is also home to a large U.S. space facility.

In recent years, there has been growing interest in Greenland’s natural resources, including the mining of rare earth minerals, uranium and iron.

Although the island enjoys broad autonomy, it remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark.

But there is widespread belief in Greenland that it will eventually become independent, which could pave the way for a new relationship with the United States.

President Trump’s claim that the people of Greenland “want to be with us” may come as a surprise to some of the island’s residents.

Fishing boat captain in Kapisilit settlement tell the bbc Trump “welcomes a visit” to the island but said “Greenland belongs to Greenlanders”.

Kaaleeraq Ringsted, a local church elder, said Trump’s language was “unacceptable,” adding that “Greenland is not for sale.”

have several ways Trump could achieve his wish to take over the territory. Asked in early January whether the use of military or economic force could be ruled out, Trump said he could not.

His latest comments have shocked Denmark’s political establishment, triggering a hastily organized high-level meeting in Copenhagen earlier this month.